Chapter 10

" Tea is served your highnesses," I jokingly said as I ambled towards the bed with her tea paired with a piece of apple tart tatin.

" Thank you dear," Enid giggled " You forgot to bend the knee," She pointed out smirking, as she leaned in to take her tea. Her retort made me laugh but I bend the knee and made an exaggerated bow.

" My deepest apologies," I pompously said when I raised my head, amused. Enid giggled she was bored out of her mind if that amused her to that extent.

" So, what should we do for the rest of the day?" I asked when Enid settled down and stopped laughing. I had zero comedic skills but I was glad that I had managed to cheer her up.

" I'm going to finish this book, and then maybe if I feel like it, sit in my chair and watch the rain." Enid wistfully smiled from behind her cup of tea, making me glance out the window. It was tipping it down.

" Well, I need to get some things done but once I'm done I'll come and join you," I said as I pushed myself off the bed. I wanted to have a rest but that could wait.

" How about we play some bridge or rummy," I added hoping that it will chase away the gloom that the poor weather had dragged in.

" Rummy," Enid hummed, lighting up at the idea. It was one of my favourite games. Enid hated card games for some odd reason.

" Great," I beamed " I'll be back in about thirty minutes," I said as I rushed out of the door.

I made my way towards the kitchen and wondered how Mason was doing. The memory of him asking about my day played in my mind. I was still unsure what to do with that. I shook my head and pushed the thought out of my mind. I was reading too much into it.

I rushed through cleaning the kitchen, then made my way towards the bedroom to pick up whatever dirty clothes I had stuffed into the basket in the past few days whilst my thoughts went to him. I was weak, against him. Solitude had been my stronghold for so long, but that was no longer a safe place for me to hide.

I frowned at that thought. I still had hope that things will change between us. I had no idea why it happened or why it had to be him out of people. My certainty that the feelings, I held for him weren't misplaced grew stronger each day. I went over every possibility that I could think of. I had considered that the loss of my parents had created a void, and I filled that void with him. Grief after all was a powerful feeling, and it manifested in all sorts of ways.

Over the years, I had tried to find a palpable explanation but I came up with bobkis in the end. They were real, my feeling for him was true.

I puffed my cheeks and closed the door to the washing machine. Questioning my sanity had become a precarious habit.

I turned on the washing machine, and made my way out of the laundry room, into one of the rooms where we stored all the games and puzzles. Enid liked puzzles since the stack of boxes reached impressive heights.

When I walked back in into Enid's bedroom, she was already waiting at the table, fidgeting in her chair, excited.

" Ready?" She asked with a cackle " I'm going to show you how the pros do it," She added, grinning. She must be really bored. I thought.

I had never seen her so excited about a game.

" I'm looking forward to it," I smirked " But, don't expect any special treatment just because you're not feeling well," I tipped my chin up defiantly at her. I was ready to go to war.

" Oh, please," Enid scoffed " I'm good as new," She added giggling pointing at her face, making me laugh. I emptied the box and began spreading the tiles on the table, amused at her retort.

" Great," I said as I took my seat at the table, ready to begin, cracking my knuckles, like a thug ready for a fight.

Enid quirked a brow " Dear," Enid giggled " We are playing rummy, not getting into a bar fight," She amusedly sighed, fidgeting in her chair.

" Who knows? Maybe next time when we have uninvited guests, I might start one." I replied while Ava's face at the end of my fist came into mind. I wasn't a violent person but somehow that girl made me want to be one.

" No need to get physical. It's not worth it, " Enid pointed out with a grimace " But I do see your point," Enid sighed as we began the game, and her focus shifted to the rack in front of her.

After half a dozen rounds of rummy, Enid bested me and won. I raised my eyes, only to be greeted with a smirk and a casual shrug from Enid.

" I told you. I still got it," Enid chuckled as she began packing the game back into the box.

" Yes, you do Enid. I propose a rematch when I'm rested," I wasn't happy that I had lost.

" Excuses, but fine. Pick a time and a day. I'll be there," Enid's combative nature shined through in all its splendour as she leaned over the table, locking eyes with me. Someone needed to calm down. I wasn't even half as competitive as she was.

" Okay," I meekly replied, smiling" I should get dinner ready," I said as I pushed myself up from the chair, slightly terrified by the fact that she barred her teeth at me.

" Sorry, dear," Enid came back to her senses " I get a bit carried away when it comes to games," You don't say. I hadn't noticed. Those were the thoughts that went through my head, as I picked up the game ready for a change of scenery.

" It's alright," I casually said trying to shake off the unease that crept up on me.

" I'll see you in a bit. I just need to put these away and I'll get dinner ready," I made my way out of the room, and let out a heavy sigh. I had never challenged her to a rematch. I made a mental note not to do that again, ever. Bad idea, Lily.